The U.S. Preventative Services task force now recommends that women "at an average risk for breast cancer" wait until age 50 to begin screenings.
The recommendation continues to say that screenings after age 74 really aren't necessary.
These guidelines allow patients more freedom of choice. If a woman wants to begin screening before age 50, a conversation with their doctor is required.
These new guidelines also cause some confusion because they don't match with mammogram recommendations from other groups.
Dr. Dawn Leonard is the medical director of the Samuelson Breast Care Center at Northwest Hospital. She joined ABC2's In Focus to discuss her mammogram recommendations and the pros and cons of the different guidelines.
Watch the video above for more.
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